Manitoba Muscle

This past weekend, Winnipeg bodybuilding fans were treated to the biggest physique show in the province’s history. It was later confirmed that it was also the biggest Novice level show in CBBF history!

500 Pre-judging fans and over 1200 fans at the sold out night show were treated to over 200 athletes, a shoulder to shoulder jam packed expo, and IFBB Pro Rob Belisle’s homecoming guest posing routine.

WOMEN’S BIKINI

Similar to most regions, Women’s Bikini has exploded. Unfortunately with this fast growth, there has been little time for the judges to express any trends for what they are looking for. This was evident when the top 5 of each class were announced. There was very little consistency in regards to body type and level of conditioning of all of the women chosen, but what was consistent is that Manitoba has some incredibly “marketable” women. (Note – for future reference, when I write “marketable” that means HOT!)

David Ford from Status Fitness Magazine was in attendance and he presented his prestigious “David Ford Choice Award” to Rebecca Ricard who placed 2nd in the Bikini Tall division. In speaking with David during the show, he was impressed with the level of talent at the Novice show. I have to agree!

WOMEN’S FITNESS

Women’s Fitness was comprised of only 4 competitors. Since the inception of Women’s Figure and now Women’s Bikini, Women’s Fitness has seen a dramatic drop in participants. Just going back to a few years ago when my wife, IFBB Pro Christina Mehling, won the 2005 CBBF National Fitness title, Women’s Fitness was still the highlight of many physique shows. Now it’s such a small part of the show that many see it as a dying sport.

What I do like about Women’s Fitness now though is the quality of the routines. Because of the many options for female physique competitors, only women with strong gymnastics, dance, or martial arts are found to be entering this division. This show was no exception to that. Even though this was a Novice competition, all of the participants had very entertaining routines, but it was Cassandra MacLeod, the winner of the Short class, who won “Best routine”.

Of special interest, Christen Dilling, 2nd place in the Short Class, competed at the same show as her mother Sonya Dilling, who placed 4th in the Women’s Figure Grand Master Division. It is always great to see people making this a family affair and enjoying this experience together.

WOMEN’S FIGURE

This was the inaugural introduction of the Figure Grand Master Division (45+) in Manitoba and MABBA is sure happy they added it to their registration form. The moment all seven women walked on stage, it was clear Dr. Nadine Semchyshyn was walking away with the Class win. Nadine also placed 2nd in Medium tall Class behind muscular Holly Raban in a very stacked Medium-tall Class.

In all of the Figure classes, it appeared that the judges were split in what they wanted. The top 3 of all classes had a very distinct mix of heavily muscled women and others with more V taper and shape. In the recent past the trend has been to award less muscle and more pleasing proportions, but this time muscle won.

WOMEN’S BODYBUILDING

Leading up the Novice, Coco Kissack was hyping herself up as the run away winner. I like Coco a lot and she has done a great job promoting physique sports on Canadian online forums and locally in Winnipeg for a few years now. I really like her physique and her award for “Best Poser” was well deserved. She convincingly won the Lightweight Class, but her winning streak was interrupted when she went up again Heavyweight Class winner Lorraine Handley in the Master’s Division.

When Lorraine first walked on stage for the Master’s Division, it was clear she was there for the win. Lorraine displayed a level of conditioning and muscularity that has not been seen in Women’s bodybuilding in Manitoba for many years. As she hit her compulsory poses, Lorraine made it easier and easier for the judges to declare her the winner in both the Master’s Division and Heavyweight Class. Lorraine has a big future in the sport and will be one to watch as she moves up the amateur ranks.

MEN’S BODYBUILDING

Bodybuilding in Manitoba has continued to see a lot of talent rising through the ranks. With the likes of big Mike Zylstra and Junior sensation Darnell Collins, I predict some big wins for Manitoba at the National level in the near future.
The high level of talent continued in this show as Alexandre Robidoux walked away with the Junior Division win with little challenge. Alexandre has put on a lot of muscle since his first show back in 2008, and has great shape that will improve as he grows into his large structure. As this was his last show as a Junior, Alexandre is looking forward to making his mark in the open classes. He is already started as he also placed 2nd in the Light-Heavyweight Class behind a well proportioned and well conditioned Matthew Masserey.

Another up-and-comer that deserves mentioning is Cole Guertin, also known as “Triple Threat” as he placed 3rd in the Junior Divison, 1st in the Light-Middleweight and 1st in Classic Medium-tall Classes. If Cole can bring up his legs to match his upper body and get bigger overall he will continue to be a threat to any class he enters in the future.

I don’t think there could have been a more fitting award for Heavyweight Class winner John McLaren. John was presented the “Mutant” award by Novice title sponsor Dave Clow of Muscles by Meyers for being the freakiest bodybuilder on stage that day. John is one big dude with strength to match, as he posted on facebook pictures of himself squatting some big weights leading up to the show. At the Novice level, there is no doubt John was a stand out but John will have to work hard on increasing shoulder and chest size to match his monster legs if he wants to experience the same success in higher level of competition.

In the Classic bodybuilding divisions, we again saw some good physiques. One highlight was seeing the return of long time Manitoba bodybuilding personality Joe Marcoux. All the way back in 1993, Joe Marcoux owned a sports supplement and equipment store through which he sponsored a lot of the local bodybuilding events. One of those events was the 1993 Novice for which he brought in IFBB Pro bodybuilder Lee Labrada as a guest poser. It was the first time I met a Pro bodybuilder and it was an event that changed my life forever. I owe Joe a lot for that experience and made damn sure I welcomed him back to the posing stage.

With bringing the past back to the present, Joe won the “Best poser” award with his “Tarzan” themed posing routine he first did over 11 years ago. Joe also won the Classic Medium Class with ease.

FINAL THOUGHTS

After all was said and done, the 2011 MABBA Muscles by Meyers Novice Championships was a huge success! Feedback from various audience members, sponsors, and athletes was all positive. MUSCLE INSIDER is happy to have sponsored the event and is the first magazine & website to post pictures and cover the show.

Considering the magnitude of the first physique event for the year in Manitoba, it can only be predicted that this year’s MABBA Mercedes Benz of Winnipeg Provincial Championships on June 4th is going to be one you don’t want to miss! MUSCLE INSIDER is looking forward to be in Winnipeg again to bring you all the pre-show hype and inside scoop on the post-show commentary

To learn more about Darren Mehling, please visit his website at: www.freakfitness.ca. If you have a bodybuilding question you want him to answer, email us at: questions@muscle-insider.com